OGALLALAH SIOUX — CHEYENNE CHIEF. 253 



to be a large band of Ogallalahs, (one of the numerous bands 

 of Sioux,) who had discovered us early in the morning, and 

 had been anxiously watching our movements all the day, having 

 mistaken us for a war-party of Crows. As soon as they saw 

 the flag displayed, they knew at once that we were whites, but 

 had hesitated to approach us, through fear of the small-pox, 

 which they represented as raging below and in the neighbourhood 

 of Fort Laramie. They had fled hither to avoid it, and were 

 much alarmed lest we should have it among us. Being assured 

 to the contrary, they poured in upon us from all quarters, and our 

 camp was soon crowded with them. Several of the chiefs and 

 head men had certificates from the commanding officer at Fort 

 Laramie, and from difi'erent emigrant companies, as to their friendly 

 character, which they handed to me with an empressement which 

 showed the great importance they attached to them. Some 002*06, 

 flour, and sugar were served out to them, together with all the 

 tobacco I could spare; and after a plentiful repast, they departed 

 for their village on the Laramie, about two miles below, with every 

 demonstration of good- will. The head chief, who rejoiced in the 

 very original title of "Bufialo Dung," gave me a warm invitation 

 to pay him a visit in the morning ; which I promised to do. 



The band consisted of several hundred : they were, for the most 

 part, fine-looking men, straight, tall, and athletic, and generally 

 well mounted. I afterward learned that as soon as they recog- 

 nised our flag, and became satisfied as to our character, they 

 had sent word to the spot selected for their temporary camping- 

 ground, whereupon the squaws, reassured, immediately commenced 

 putting up the lodges ; and before sundown the plain was white 

 with them. 



Among the Sioux was one solitary, dignified old Cheyenne chief, 

 who figured in the undress frock of a major of artillery, buttoned 

 closely up to his throat, and of which he seemed not a little vain. 

 To my surprise, I found that he did not understand the Sioux 

 tongue at all, and communicated with those of that tribe wholly by 

 signs. The Sioux chief with the unpronounceable name, the trans- 

 lation of which has already been given, was a noble-looking old 

 man, and very much disposed to be sociable. He explained to me 

 that he was greatly afllicted with sore eyes, and begged for some- 

 thing to cure them. I had nothing but an old pair of goggles, 

 with very dark green glasses, which I gave him, and with which he 

 was very much delighted, mounting them with great complacency, 



